always share stories of Vietnam with me and I would listen, very excited about his experiences, some sad, some funny. We were married October 1970 and one day, while at lunch at work, I began to write this poem. It was published in the VVA magazine, Poughkeepsie, NY and once in a while, one of his stories would spark me to sit down and put his thoughts on paper." Rosalie Kissner |
"Is Anybody Out There"
Is there anybody out there who remembers bombs and shells?
And existing everyday with thoughts of living hell?
Being accused of killing children is what a lot of people said
But little did they know that for us there was no bed.
You see, we didn't sleep too often for fear of being shot
By these so-called children, who learned a hell of a lot.
Is there anybody out there who remembers seeing a friend
His body all shot to hell, with nothing to mend?
How about the POW's still waiting to be freed
Their only reality being their own religious creed.
Is there anybody out there who remembers the severe pain?
Day and night, trying desperately to remain sane.
Saluting the Flag, day in and day out
While people in the U.S. burned their flags and shout.
Is there anybody out there who remembers hearing "thank you"?
For heroically serving Uncle Sam and their great country too.
We don't think about those who couldn't take it and who fled,
We just remember all those boys who suffered and who bled.
There are those who say Vietnam was not a war
But just try to convince those mothers who had to remain hardcore.
They have lost their sons, some lost husbands too,
What did they say to their child of age two?
Their daddy was sent to a country to fight
While the people back home deliberately lost sight.
Is there anybody out there who remembers a parade?
Certainly not I, I'm afraid.
No yellow ribbons around a tree for me
I just came home very quietly, you see.
No news media, no crowds on the street
Just in my mind was my unaccomplished feat.
Is there anybody out there who remembers once they were home?
Not believing that they were finally in their own dome.
And people looking at you with hate in their eyes
Can you tell me why there was such despise?
I still can't believe there are many who won't say
That it was worth the lives some had to pay.
My thoughts of the spirit that Americans show
For the thousands of men who were up against the foe
Should be filled with pride instead of hate
And don't think that now it is too late.
Is there anybody out there who feels forgotten and alone?
Not to mention all the days and nights filled with atone.
The noise filled nights and the misty days,
And not a word, not a single praise.
Nobody realizes the inward hate, depression and stress
Not to mention the families that are broken and a mess,
So with God's help and the VVA,
We can turn this great country around one day!
To Return to
Rosalie's Poems Index
Click on Castle